Barrister’s sexual harassment of junior solicitor found to be unsatisfactory conduct – Proctor

A New South Wales barrister has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct for sexually harassing a young female solicitor (Ms X) in a court conference room.

Background

On 5 June 2017, Mr Raphael (the respondent) and Ms X appeared in the Supreme Court of New South Wales for a hearing. The Judicial Registrar directed Ms X to obtain further instructions and the hearing was adjourned. Ms X was sitting in a conference room alone with the door closed while she obtained information from her supervising solicitor.

The respondent entered the conference room, and, after referring to Ms X’s wedding ring, said words to the effect, ‘Won’t your husband get jealous because we are spending so much time together. He…